Sheriff reduces proposed dispatch charges

Lincoln County Sheriff Wade Magers, along with county commissioners Rob Coffman and Dennis Bly, attended Monday night’s town council meeting.

Magers was present mainly to address the proposed changes to the town’s contract for dispatch services provided by the county. The town originally contracted with the sheriff’s department for dispatch services in January of 1998, prior to 911 services being available to the county. For the past decade, the cost to the town has remained flat at $2,500 per year, based on the number of officers available to be dispatched.

The initial proposal from Magers’ office was an incremental implementation of increased fees starting at $6,000 for 2012 and going up to $18,000 after three years. After considering input from the three self-policed communities included in the contract (Odessa, Reardan and Wilbur), Magers has revised the proposal.

The revised “5-5-5” plan presented Monday begins at $5,000 for 2012, with an additional $500 being added each year for five years, ending at $7,500 for the 2017 fiscal year. At that time the contract would be reevaluated.

Magers stated that the proposed charges were based on net costs to operate the dispatch service, after 9-1-1 reimbursement from the state of Washington. He added that the state has advised all dispatch centers that funding would decrease, and that they need to develop the ability to “stand on their own two feet.” He also stated that the department wants the charges to be consistent across the county, and that he had tried to figure out the most fair process. “It was very difficult to be consistent,” he said.

Council members Lynn Schmidt, Lois Harp and Kim Ramm continued to ask Magers for clarification on the plan, with questions ranging from allocation of county taxes to jail revenue from outside sources.

Magers reiterated that costs would continue to escalate, but that a large part of the increase is due to an 11% increase to salaries and benefits previously postponed as part of the last collective bargaining session for department employees.

The sheriff also stated that a revised contract will not be finished until all three self-policed communities in the county agree to the terms.

Bly added that “We haven’t adjusted this contract in ten years – what else do you get at the same prices as 10 years ago?”

Hazard Mitigation Plan

Magers also introduced Brad Tucker of Northwest Management, Inc., to address the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The consulting firm was hired to help the county to identify potential hazards, assessing the risks and what type of damages each area could face in the event of a disaster, and propose a list of actions that should be taken to reduce the risks. Tucker noted that federal and state funding is available to help accomplish the items on the list, and the more that are accomplished in the five years between plan updates, the easier it is to obtain funding for the next cycle.

Mayor Doug Plinski noted that the action items on the list had already been identified by the committee working on the plan, not by the consulting firm. Some of the action items include obtaining and installing backup generators for the community center, town well #4, the public works and police departments and to clear accumulated vegetation from the creek channel and encourage residents in the flood plain to obtain flood insurance.

According to Magers, the plan needs to be approved by the town prior to being presented to the board of commissioners at their next meeting. Council members voted to approve the plan (Resolution 2011-11).

Finally, Magers introduced a discussion about a 3/10 of a cent proposed increase to sales tax that might increase revenue. Such a measure has been proposed in other counties, and has failed to pass.

The idea sparked conversation ranging from the success of Odessa’s equipment sales companies (and the possibility that they may be negatively impacted by such an increase) to the importance of shopping locally, which keeps a portion of sales tax revenues in the community where the transaction takes place.

Tax Levy

In other business, there was no public input on the annual tax and levy Resolution 2011-10 and Ordinance 645, which were passed unanimously. These measures do not affect residents’ tax rates, but must be passed annually in order for the town to receive its maximum cumulative allocation increase of 1% per year.

Utility increases

Then members moved on to approve a $.75 increase to base water rates, from $17.25 to $18.00, a garbage rate increase of 2.5% (readers will remember that the cost to the town from Consolidated Disposal Services, Inc. increased by 2.1% last March 1), and to note that sewer rates will increase automatically as of the first of next year.

Public Works

Public Works Director Roger Sebesta reported that the gas line replacement project will move to the north side of the railroad tracks, where it should progess more quickly due to there being fewer obstacles for the crews to avoid. He said that the contractors have added additional crews, and that they will be trying to complete the repaving portion of the project first, as the asphalt plant will be shutting down as of November 23.

Plinski commented that there were some concerns about the quality of the patching work due to the colder weather, but told those present that he had been assured it would not be a problem.

Police Department

Town Marshal Mike Wren reported that there had been a recent residential burglary in the 200 block of East Second Avenue, which was being investigated. He added that there had been forced entry, and an undisclosed amount of cash had been reported taken.

In a followup report about the business burglaries over the summer, Wren reported that they “have exhausted all sources and developed nothing further.” He added that the Davenport pharmacy had experienced a similar breakin, and that information is being shared by the two departments in hopes of a break in the case.

Councilmember reports

Ramm reported that she met with USKH (the town’s engineering firm) to assess accessibility in various areas around town, including the school (including Fourth Avenue), hospital, museum and Old Town Hall.

The study, which is a part of the town’s street improvement plan, is to be funded by a $16,500 grant obtained from Quadco, the transportation planning organization for Lincoln, Adams, Kittitas and Grant Counties.

Mayor’s report

Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire has indicated that the state might eliminate the portion of liquor taxes that currently goes to cities and towns. In light of this possibility, Plinski has reduced the 2012 liquor tax revenue budget by half. Plinski said that there is no way at this time to be sure whether the revenue will actually be reduced, or by what amount, but that he felt this was a reasonable estimate calculated to reduce potential shortfalls.